Fountain washing device



061:. 17, 1950 w, g y s 2,526,119

FOUNTAIN WASHING DEVI CE Filed Jan. 19, 1949 m.- 7 WW Patented Oct. 17,1950 FOUNTAIN WASHING DEVICE William B. Cravis, New York, N. Y.,assignor to Quaker Maintenance Company, Inc., New-York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application January 19, 1949, Serial No. 71,720

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in scrubbing orwashing devices, and more particularly to such devices for use inwashing walls, ceilings and like surfaces in conjunction with machinesof the general type shown and described, for example, in United StatesPatent No. 2,003,847.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a scrubbingor washing device of the type described wherein the flow of cleaning orrinse fluid t the surface being washed may be controlled and regulatedat will by the user without interrupting or interfering with the washingoperation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel scrubbing orwashing device of the character set forth which is constructed andarranged to permit quick and easy interchange of the scrubbing membersthereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a washing device ofthe type described having a handle structure which is readily detachableand embodies a novel valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluidto the scrubbing memher.

A further object of the invention is to provide a scrubbing or washingdevice embodying certain novel features of construction and arrangementwhich is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and is highlyeificient and effective in operation and use.

These and other objects of the invention, and the various features anddetails of its construction and operation, are hereinafter full setforth and described with reference to the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a wall washing machine incorporatingscrubbing or washing devices made in accordance with the presentinvention, and illustrating the manner and use thereof;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a washing device made according tothe present invention and showing the major parts thereof in relativelyseparated relation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3, Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view slightly enlarged taken on line 4-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentar sectional view showing the constructionand arrangement of the fasteners for detachably securing the washingmember to the handle or body structure of the device; and

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective showing a covering surrounding a washingdevice which under certain washing conditions.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, washing apparatus of thetype to which the pres-- ent invention relates may comprise aPa lL-nftanks l and 2 adapted to contain, respectively, a mixture of water andcleaning material such as a suitable detergent and-a supply of; clearwater for rinsing purposes. Pressure means-inthe-form of a hand pump 3may be provided formaintaining the liquid in the tanks I and 2 underdesired pressure, and leading from the tanks are hoses 14 and 5,respectively, having scrubbing .;or washing. devices 6 connected totheir outer ends,

According to the present invention; the scrubbing or washing devices 6each comprise a body member 1 in the form of a, rigid plate of metal,plastic or other suitable material. Secured upon the upper face of thebody plate 1 is a valve '8, the body 9 of which is secured-directl tothe surface of the plate I. The valve body 9 is provided at one end withan axial bore portion In of relatively large diameter, an intermediatebore portion I l f reduced diameter and a bore portion l2 at the otherend of the body 9 having a diameter slightly less than the bore portionID but greater than that of the bore portion ll.

Threaded into the bore portion {0 of the body 9 is a fitting I3 to whichis connected the outer end of say the hose 4 of the washing machine. Theinner end of the fitting I3 is provided with a relatively large boreportion [4 in which is seated a coil spring I5. The spring l5 actsbetween an annular shoulder in the fitting I3 and the outer face of thehead portion "5 of a valve element I! normall to maintain the valve inclosed position against the wall I 9 of the valve body 9 as shown inFig. 4 of the drawing. The valve I1 is provided with a stem I8 which isslidably mounted in the bore portion ll of the body 9, the stem 18 beinghelically grooved as indicated at 29 to permit flow of fluid from thehose 4, through the bore portions l0 and l I, and thence outwardly ofthe valve body 9 through a discharge port 2| therein and a registeringopening 22 provided in the body plate I of the device.

is .used

The other end of the valve bore portion I I from the portion 10 isclosed by a resilient washer or diaphragm 23 which seats against theshoulder provided at the inner end of the bore portion l2, and thisdiaphragm 23 is held in fluid-tight relation against said shoulder bymeans of a gland or fitting 24 that is threaded in the valvebodyfl, forexample, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Slidably mounted within thefitting 2 4 a plunger face of said body at one side of the plunger 25,and

at the other side of said plunger there is secured a guide pin 36 whichextends through an opening 27a in the lever and has a cross-head portion36a constituting a stop limiting the outward or' in operative positionof the'leverj Inward actu ation of the plunger 25 as described displacesthe diaphragm 23 in the manner shownin Fig. 3 of the drawing and causesthe valve element I! to be actuated to open position to permit liquid toflow through the valve and discharge through port 2| and the opening-22in the plate I. The

helical grooves '20 in the valve stem l8 are of relatively-smallcross-sectional-area and provide substantially a'metered flow of liquidthrough the valve l8.

Detachably secured to thennderside .of the body 'plate' 1 'of thewashing device is a scrub- -bing or washing'elem'ent generallydesignated '28. element 28 comprises a sponge portion "30; preferably ofthe synthetic or artificial type, and a backingmember-fl which isprovided with an opnling 'of hole '3la therein in register with the1ateopemng g22? '{Ihe backing member 3| preferably is' a fiexiblematerial such as fabric, for examplefcanvas or the like, and is securedto 'the sponge-"member 30, for'example, by relatively coarse stitching32 or a suitable adhesive.

{The scrubbing or washing element 28 comprising the sponge ;3 0'andbacking 3| is detachably secured tothe-body plate I, for example, bymeans of snap fasteners or the like, the intercooperating portions 33aand 33b of which are secured in'the body plate 1 and backing member 3|,respectively; '-for example, as shown in Fig. '5.

Inoperation of the device, and assumin for example that the hose 4 isattached to the valve fitting 13 of the "body structure, a suitablewashing element 28 is secured to the plate I by means of the snapfasteners as aforesaid, and the cleaning and rinse liquids in the tanksl and 2 of the washing'r'nachine are placed under pressure by operationof the hand pump 3. The operator then picks up the washing device whichis connected to the cleaning liquid hose .by grasping the valve body 9thereof with his 'hand' and operates the lever 21 in the direction' ofthe arrow in Fig. 4 to unseat the valve l1 and cause cleaning liquid todischarge through the port .2I and openings 22 and 3l a into the spongemember .30 thereby wetting it. The device is then swept back and forthor up and down with the wet sponge cleaning elen ght 30 in contact withthe surface to be cleaned, and duringthe cleaning operation the rate offlow of cleaning fluid to the sponge 30 may be regulated and controlledat will in accordance with the requirements of the particular cleaningoperation by manipulation of the valve lever 21. When the wall or othersurface has been cleaned sufficiently, another of the washing devices Bis attached to the rinse hose and the cleaned wall is rinsed by usingthis other cleaning device in the" manner just described. In some cases,:it has been founddesirable to enclose the devices 6 within a bag orsack 34 of terry cloth or other similar soft yet rough-surfacedmaterial.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the present inventionprovides a device of the type described wherein the flow of cleaning orrinse liquid to the scrubbing member may be controlled and regulated atwill by the user without interrupting or interfering with the washingoperation. Also, the novel construction and arrangement of the cleaningdevice permits tially flat body member having an opening there--'through, a scrubbing and cleanin member having a substantially flat topsurface, abacking overlying a portion of the top surface of thescrubbing and cleaning member and having therein an opening registeringwith the opening in said body member, means securing said backing andscrubbing and cleaning member together; separable fastener means havinga part secured respectively to said backing and body member anddetachably connecting the same together, a valve mechanism including acasing secured to the upper surface of the body member and constitutinga hand grip for an operator to grasp and manipulate the washingapparatus, and a lever connected to said valve mechanism and extendinglaterally along one side thereof for actuation by a finger of theoperators hand to control the flow of liquid through the openings in thebody member and backing to said scrubbing and cleaning member.

2. Washing apparatus comprising a substantially flat body member havingan opening therethrough, a scrubbing and cleaning member having asubstantially flat top surface and at least two opposite side portions,a flexible fabric backin overlying a portion of the top surface of thescrubbing and cleaning member and extending down partially over the twoopposite sides thereof, means securing said backing and scrubbing andcleaning member together, separable snap-fastener means each having apart secured respectively to said backing and body member and detachablyconnecting the same together, a valve mechanism including a casingsecured to the upper surface of the body member and constituting a handgrip for an operator to grasp and manipulate the washing apparatus, anda lever connected to said valve mechanism and extending laterally inposition for actuation by a finger of the handof the operator to controlthe flow of liquid through the openings in the body member and backingto said scrubbing and cleaning member.

3. Washing apparatus comprisin a substantially flat body member havingan opening therethrough, a scrubbing and cleaning member having asubstantially fiat top surface and at least two opposite side portions,a flexible fabric backing overlying a portion of the top surface of thescrubbing and cleaning member and extending down partially over the tWoopposite sides thereof, said backinghaving an opening thereinregistering with the opening in said body member, means in the form ofstitching passing through both said backing and scrubbing and cleaningmember to secure the same together, separable snap-fastener means havinga part secured respectivelyto said backing and body member anddetachably connectin the same together, a valve mechanism including acasing secured to the upper surface of the body member and constitutinga hand grip for an operator to grasp and manipulate the Washingapparatus, and a lever connected to said valve mechanism and extendingin position for actuation by a finger of the hand of the operator tocontrol the flow of liquid through the openings in the body member andbacking to said scrubbing and cleanin member.

4. Washing apparatus comprising a substantially flat body member havingan opening therethrough, a scrubbing and cleaning member having asubstantially fiat top surface, a backing overlying a portion of the topsurface of the 25 scrubbing and cleaning member, said backing having anopening therein registering with the 6 opening in said body member,means to secure the backing and scrubbing and cleaning member together,separable snap-fastener means having a part secured respectively to saidbacking and body member and detachably connecting the same together, avalve mechanism including a casing secured to the upper surface of thebody member and constituting a hand grip for an operator to grasp andmanipulate the Washing apparatus, and a lever connected to said valvemechanism and extending in position for actuation by a finger of thehandof the operator to control the flow of liquid through the openings inthe body member and backing to said scrubbing and cleaning member.WILLIAM l3. CRAV'IS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 20 fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,511,969 Hoy Oct. 14, 19241,690,757 Steiner et al Nov. 6, 1928 2,310,006 Wisner Feb. 2, 1943

